360w chipped b grade sun power solar panels vs 340w A grade ones. Price is same

rollandelliott
rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
suntan solar, reputable company, is offering 340w a grade OR 360W b grade solar panels for same price of $110 no warranty made by sunpower. These are commercial solar panels with 6 rows of cells wired so each row is separate. So a chipped cell would only lower output in that specific row I think. company sent me sample photo of what a chipped cell might look like (just example, not actual panel)
 I am leaning toward the B grade 360w cells unless someone suggests otherwise. San Tan claims no drop in power output, but they really dont' back up the panels with a warranty either. 



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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Chipped cells as you show, develop micro cracks along the edge and those invisibly spread into the body of the cell over time, causing degradation.  Think of it as a 5 year panel.

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  • rollandelliott
    rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
    #3
    well it would only save $220 going with the B grade panels, so I'm getting the A grade, thanks. 
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    rollandelliott said:
    well it would only save $220 going with the B grade panels, so I'm getting the A grade, thanks. 
    Probably a wise decision, the margin simply isn't there, 30-50% would be worth thinking about,
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